If we can think of one person who finds frequent mention in newspapers, songs and cinema, in Parliament and even in the most absurd situations in life, it has to be Mirza Ghalib."His poetry talks about pain, suffering, happiness and above all, life. This is why whenever we are stuck in any situation, we recall Ghalib's poetry," says Aqeel Ahmed, secretary at the Ghalib Academy in New Delhi."Ghalib will remain alive as long as human emotions are there. This is why he is so relevant even after 200 years," Ahmed said.Interestingly, some references are made even without people knowing they are using Ghalib's pieces.Ghalib once said his poetry will find relevance hundred years after his death. His remark might have been like a talented poet's anguish to find recognition but time has proved he was right.As the country celebrates the iconic poet's 212 birth anniversary, Ghalib lives on in the cultural conscience of the public with his poetry finding a place in everyday life. He is perhaps one of the most quotable poets in India."Ghalib wrote majority of his poetry in Urdu while Persian was the popular language of that time. Poets of that time were concerned about literary elements but Ghalib surrendered his poetry to human emotions and problems," Ahmed says.In 1954, Sohrab Modi paid tribute to the poet by making a film on his life where Bharat Bhushan portrayed Ghalib and Suraiya plays the character of his muse. The film went on to bag the President's Gold Medal award.
